Skip to main content

Table 2 Dietary fats in the modernized Mediterranean diet compared with a Western-type diet

From: Definitions and potential health benefits of the Mediterranean diet: views from experts around the world

Type of fat Amount in the modernized Mediterranean diet compared with a Western-type diet Key references
Total fat slightly higher or not different [16, 39]
Plant and animal saturated fats much lower [16, 39]
Plant monounsaturated fats much higher [16, 39]
Animal monounsaturated fats lower [27] and cited references
Animal n-6 polyunsaturated lower [27]
Plant n-6 polyunsaturated much lower [16, 39]
Plant n-3 polyunsaturated much higher [16, 39]
Animal (including marine) n-3 polyunsaturated moderately higher [16, 39]
Industrial trans fatty acids much lower [27] and cited references
Natural (ruminant) trans fatty acids slightly higher or not different [27] and cited references
Back to article page